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Canada 150 gives Bronte Canada Day party a boost by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, October 14, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Town of Oakville is preparing to join the Bronte Business Improvement Area (BIA) to make Canada's local 150th birthday celebration something to remember. The Administrative Services Committee voted Tuesday (Oct. 11) to support the Bronte Canada Day Festival for July 1, 2017 with a $35,000 grant toward the cost of fireworks. These funds are in addition to the $15,000 annually allocated to the Bronte BIA, which has long organized the event. The Town will also provide $6,000 to hire a consulting company to work with the Bronte BIA on the celebration. Approval for all this additional funding has to come from Town council Monday (Oct. 17). "This is good news," said Ann Sargent, executive director of the Bronte BIA. "The Town heard us. They are working with us. They've been great to deal with. We love working with them and everyone is on the same page now." The Bronte Canada Day Festival has been very successful and has grown to the point where it attracts more than 50,000 people. In a report to the committee, Town staff said the fact the BIA has historically run this event is quite unique in the GTA. In many other municipalities, Canada Day celebrations are organized by the municipality. The Town heard us. They are working with us. They've been great to deal with. We love working with them and everyone is on the same page now. Bronte BIA executive director Ann Sargent The Bronte BIA's Paul Cates noted the organization is a victim of its own success, stating it does not have the capacity to run the 2017 festival on its own. "It's just too big of an event now," he said. "You have to look at what goes along with that additional responsibility of looking after all those people. The Town has come in and supported it immensely as far as all the safety and security and making sure all the roads are looked after." The BIA pointed out the $15,000 grant alone was not enough, particularly when the Town's bill for services rendered during the festival exceeds the amount of the grant at $18,736. In the report to the committee, Town staff noted the Bronte Canada Day Festival is viewed by most attendees as a Town event. As such, the success or failure of the event reflects on the Town more than the BIA. The report also pointed out expectations for this event among residents are high given it will be Canada's 150th birthday. Town staff noted the funding would be allo- cated for the July 1, 2017 event only. The long-term future of the Bronte Canada Day Festival and the Town's role in it for the period beyond 2017 will be formally reviewed, evaluated and options reported to council in 2017. Council has not always been willing to support the event with additional funds. With many local organizations requesting funding support from the Town for a variety of events, the Town has restricted the funding given to the Bronte BIA for Canada Day celebrations to $15,000 annually since 2014. When asked what had changed this year, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton simply replied, "Canada 150." Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson attributed the development to the BIA committee's hard work and the support of some Town staff. The BIA emphasized the Town is not the only funding source for the event. The 2017 Bronte Canada Day Festival budget is estimated to be $200,000. That includes $50,000 from the Town, $15,000 from the BIA levy, $25,000 from the federal government's Heritage Canada Grant, $70,000 from sponsorships, and $35,000 from the revenue of vendors. Bold senses. experience fine, european mensWear collections, and professional advice, right in the heart of oakville's heritage core. come see What's neW in store for the season. only starting from AIRE ONE MADNEss sAlE! HIGH EFFICIENCY FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR * $ or * 3990 $ fall at BurroWs. Call for details 59 /mth oAC* SAmE DAY INStALLAtIoN P PACKAGE INCLUDES: · 95.5 % High Efficiency Gas Furnace · High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant ·10 Year Factory Warranty · Limited Time Offer 95.5% EFF. receive up to iN i.e.S.o. & GAS coMpANY reBAteS* $2500 FURNACE DIAGNOSTIC SpECIAl www. . HEATING & COOLING $ .com 49 FURNACE ClEANING $ *Call for details. BOOk yOURS TODAy! 79 *Call for details. 905.842.0232 burrowsclothiers.com 200 lakeshore road e, oakville giorgio armani . brunello cucinelli . hugo boss . belstaff . etro . boglioli Over 120,000 satisfied custOmers 9 Locations to serve you better oaKviLLe (905) 849-4998 Don't Compromise on Driver Training UpComing CoUrses october 22, 29 november 5, 12 4 Weekends 9:30 am - 3:30 pm november 19, 20, 26, 27 2 Weekends 9:30 am - 3:30 pm December 27, 28, 29, 30 4 Days 9:30 am - 3:30 pm www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200